CELEBRITY

Michael B. Jordan Leads Way in Hollywood’s Inclusion Rider Movement

Lack of diversity in the Entertainment industry has been a hot controversial topic over the years to a point where it can ignite a mass outrage on social media outlets. With the new movement of Inclusion riders, it can very well be the catalyst to an effective solution to Hollywood's representation issue.
Tom Rose / Shutterstock

Lack of diversity in the entertainment industry has been a controversial topic over the years, often igniting mass outrage on social media outlets. The new movement of Inclusion Riders might very well be the catalyst to an effective solution to Hollywood’s representation issue.

First developed back in Fall 2016, an Inclusion Rider is an agreement within a contract to guarantee that a film project will involve a certain level of diversity on and off-screen. It also holds production accountable to ensure accessibility and equity are implemented into their hiring practices.

Throughout the years, young people of color have been deprived of seeing characters on-screen that mirrored any of their features or backgrounds.

Today, black A-list actors and actresses are beginning to take their own stance in the movement. In a recent interview with Glitter, Michael B. Jordan stated that his vision in playing certain characters involved normalizing taking on roles in films that aren’t simply a story about the color of his skin. Jordan also owns a production company, Outlier Society, which has played an integral role in solidifying the systemic change he hopes for.

Additionally, a rider template not only urges for inclusivity with people of color, but also gender, race, ethnicity, LGBTQIA, age, and other underrepresented backgrounds. 

An updated version has been implemented for a more effective Inclusion Rider policy, which proves that it’s only the beginning. Watch our interview with Jordan below for more on the inspiring actor and his inclusion efforts.